Hemp Oil vs CBD Oil and other cannabis oils: What’s the difference?

Australians have been using cannabis oil for a wide variety of health conditions for years. But with all the different types of cannabis oil on the market, it can be hard to know which one is right for you. Now, the terms CBD Oil, Hemp Seed Oil and THC oil can be heard or seen online often, however, there is still much confusion and misconception surrounding them. Where do they come from? What are the differences between them? What are their benefits to our health and which one of these oils are legal? Keep reading to learn more!

What is Hemp Oil?

First and foremost, the most important fact to know about is that Hemp oil is not the same as hemp seed oil, CBD oil or THC oil. Hemp oil is the most questioned type of oil, all of the listed oils have similarities but contain different compounds and are used for different purposes.

Hemp oil is an oil extracted from the hemp plant. Hemp is a type of cannabis plant, and hemp oil can be made from both hemp plants and marijuana plants. However, hemp oil contains only trace amounts of THC, the compound in marijuana that causes psychoactive effects. As a result, hemp oil will not get you high. There is a common misconception that hemp oil and CBD oil are the same thing, but this is not the case. CBD oil is also derived from hemp plants, but it contains higher levels of CBD. Hemp oil is used in a variety of products, including food, cosmetics, and supplements. It is also sometimes used as a natural treatment for anxiety and pain relief.

Related: History of Hemp & CBD

Medicinal CBD Oil: What is it?

CBD is short for Cannabidiol, an active compound found in the cannabis plant. CBD is not a psychoactive compound, therefore it does not give you any feelings of ‘high’ or any altered state of mind Moreover, CBD oil is derived from the cannabis plant’s leaves, stalk, flowers and is usually combined with a carrier oil such as coconut or hemp seed oil. The reason that it is combined with a carrier oil is to aid the body to absorb the CBD oil better. Additionally, a carrier oil also helps with dosage, making it simpler and more accurate for CBD to be administered through a dropper.

The use of CBD oil for a number of health issues is supported by a growing amount of scientific research. Anxiety, insomnia and pain are among the issues that CBD oil is known to be effective in addressing. It is also being researched as a possible cancer treatment.

CBD oil has several possible applications. It can be inhaled, applied topically, or consumed by mouth. Oral use of CBD oil—in the form of drops is the most popular method of administration. Taking CBD oil has relatively few negative side effects, and those that do tend to be moderate and transient, it is considered as safe to use.

CBD oil comes in three different types in Australia – Full Spectrum CBD Oil, Broad Spectrum CBD Oil and CBD Isolate. The term “Full Spectrum” refers to CBD oil that contains all of the hemp plant’s cannabinoids, terpenes, and waxes as well as trace levels of THC that are less than 0.2%. Broad Spectrum, on the other hand, is equivalent to Full Spectrum with the exception that all traces of THC have been entirely eliminated. Finally, CBD isolate is an oil that contains solely CBD and no other components of the hemp plant.

Hemp Seed Oil – is it the same as hemp oil?

Do not confuse this oil with the term ‘hemp oil’ as hemp seed oil is a natural oil that is derived from hemp seeds. Unlike other oils that are extracted from different parts of the hemp plant, hemp seed oil is solely extracted from the seeds. This makes an oil that contains little to no CBD or THC (less than 0.3%) and should not have any psychoactive effects . Hemp seed oil has been used for centuries in various cultures for its medicinal properties. It is only recently that it has become more widely available as an oil for topical use and consumption.

Furthermore, it is important to be diligent and do further research on your own to avoid being fooled by marketing tactics. For example, hemp oil and hemp seed oil are not the same thing. Simply said, hemp oil is produced from the hemp flower, whereas hemp seed oil is produced by cold pressing the seeds of the hemp plant. But regrettably, there are a number of cunning marketing strategies out there that confuse customers. The terms are frequently used synonymously, and it may turn out to be a recipe for misinterpretation.

Information on THC Oil

Is an oil made from a high dose extract of the THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) or the psychoactive compound from the cannabis plant. This is an extremely potent oil that will get you the feeling of ‘high’. THC oil is known for its psychoactive effects, which can include feelings of euphoria, relaxation, and increased appetite. THC oil can also cause some side effects, including paranoia and anxiety. High dose THC oil is not legal in most countries, and its use may be subject to different laws across the globe. Its main use is for recreational use, and as for now, THC oil is not legal in Australia.

What are the uses and benefits of each product?

They all come from the same plant family. The oils all come from compounds from the cannabis or hemp plant but have different active compounds, effects and use. Let’s find out how each can benefit your health differently.

Hemp Oil Benefits

Hemp oil is often misunderstood because of its relationship to marijuana. Hemp oil comes from the hemp plant, which is a type of cannabis plant. However, hemp plants contain only trace amounts of THC, the psychoactive compound found in marijuana. As a result, hemp oil does not have the same effects as marijuana and will not make you high. Instead, hemp oil is used for a variety of purposes, including reducing inflammation and relieving anxiety. Despite its beneficial effects, hemp oil remains controversial due to its association with marijuana. However, hemp oil is a safe and healthy product that can be used to improve your overall well-being.

Benefits of CBD Oil

CBD oil is probably the most popular product of this product group. This is because CBD products are now readily available in various countries. Is CBD oil legal in Australia? The answer is yes, CBD oil in Australia is now legal to obtain, either freely online or by limited dose from a doctor’s prescription. CBD oil is often used as a supplement against anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain and inflammation.

Furthermore, there are many scientific studies already conducted that outlines its benefits for general health, improving sleep, reducing nausea, and more. One study on CBD to treat chronic pain was conducted a survey on 253 participants from 7 pain management clinics to measure the efficacy of using CBD as a treatment for chronic pain which resulted in the majority of 59% of participants responded that CBD helped with their pain and a further 71% acknowledged that they believe CBD is was a good treatment option for their pain. This proves that CBD is a great alternative to your general NSIDs.

Hemp Seed Oil Benefits

Hemp seed oil is probably the oldest used oil on the market. Hemp is a part of the cannabis family, but it can not be used for getting high. Instead, it is often used by various industries and is one of the most commonly industrially processed plants in the world. Hemp seed oil is extracted from hemp seeds, and it is usually sold as a nutritional supplement. There are a number of hemp seed oil benefits. One scientific article mentions that hemp seed oil benefits our diet as it is composed of important beneficial nutrients such as essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals, which makes it a great oil to be added to your diet as a nutritional supplement. In addition, hemp seed oil also makes an excellent nourishing and hydrating agent for the skin which can help to improve skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.

THC Oil Benefits

Last, THC oil is a high concentrate oil of the psychoactive ingredients Tetrahydrocannabinol . It avoids all the other substances found in marijuana and provides consumers with the feeling of getting ‘high’. Potent THC oil is mostly used recreationally and high dose THC oil is still illegal in Australia as of now. THC oil is believed to have beneficial properties similar to CBD for managing pain, helping with post chemotherapy nausea, increasing appetite or helping with sleep, to name a few. However there needs to be more solid scientific research conducted to confirm the claims.

What’s the difference between CBD oil, Hemp seed oil and THC oil?

Because of differences in legislation regarding the cannabis sativa plant, as well as the tremendous increase in new products being marketed, there has been a lack of clarity regarding the various types of cannabis oils. Different components will be present depending on which part of the plant is extracted. Do note that Hemp oil has similar ingredients to CBD oil with little traces of THC, however, CBD has more cannabidiol (CBD) concentration in it, consequently giving its name of CBD oil.

To summarise, a scientific article published by Mayo Clinic explains thoroughly in detail the main differences between CBD oil vs. Hemp seed oil vs. THC oil. Below is a table of the summary.

Can you buy CBD Oil, Hemp Seed Oil and THC Oil Online?

First, for CBD oil the answer is yes. There are few ways to have access to CBD oil in Australia, either through a doctor’s prescription, low dose (150mg per day) over the counter from pharmacies and for stronger potency, many companies sell CBD oil online. When you buy CBD oil online in Australia, make sure you do research beforehand to make sure you are buying from a reputable source and choose the right type of CBD oil depending on your needs and use.

Second, hemp seed oil can also be obtained online from various sellers. However, to ensure consistent quality and avoid scams, hemp seed oil should be easily found in the cooking oil section of your supermarket in Australia. For example, Coles and Woolworths has already brokered a deal with ECS botanical holdings to stock its product Extra Virgin Tasmanian Hemp Seed Oil in their stores nationwide.

Last, THC oil concentrate is illegal in Australia as of now, the only way to get THC oil is in small amounts found by traces in other legal oils such as in CBD oil.

Conclusion – Hemp Oil vs CBD Oil

We hope that this article can give you a better understanding of the use and differences of these products and avoid confusion, especially between the terms ‘CBD oil vs hemp oil’ or ‘hemp oil vs hemp seed oil’, do remember they are not completely the same at all. Hemp oil and hemp seed oil are extracted from different parts of the plant and provide different compounds to be used for different purposes, therapeutic (hemp oil) or nutritional (hemp seed oil). As for CBD oil and Hemp oil, they are extracted in a similar way from the plant but CBD oil has a stronger concentration of CBD compound in the oil, hence the name.

These oils should be used for the proper benefits or results you are looking for, either it is medical, recreational or even educational/discovery. Make sure you know what you are looking for and do research beforehand. No legal substance is entirely bad, only the misuse of it. Also, make sure that the oil you are looking for is legal in your state.

Each product has its use and the main differences of these oils are its active ingredients and legality. CBD oil and Hemp oil is mainly used for its therapeutic properties to manage pain, inflammation and sleep, while Hemp seed oil is commonly used for its nutritional properties. Finally, THC oil, in countries that have legalised it, is mainly used for recreational purposes. CBD oil, Hemp oil and Hemp seed oil is legal to purchase and sell whereas high potency THC oil is still illegal in Australia.

References:

• cbdoilaustralia.info. (2019). CBD Oil Australia | Buy CBD Oil Online. [online] Available at: http://cbdoilaustralia.info/.
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• Schilling, J.M., Hughes, C.G., Wallace, M.S., Sexton, M., Backonja, M. and Moeller-Bertram, T. (2021). Cannabidiol as a Treatment for Chronic Pain: A Survey of Patients’ Perspectives and Attitudes. Journal of Pain Research, Volume 14, pp.1241–1250. doi:10.2147/jpr.s278718.
• Leizer, C., Ribnicky, D., Poulev, A., Dushenkov, S. and Raskin, I. (2000). The Composition of Hemp Seed Oil and Its Potential as an Important Source of Nutrition. Journal of Nutraceuticals, Functional & Medical Foods, 2(4), pp.35–53. doi:10.1300/j133v02n04_04.
• ‌www.mayoclinic.org. (n.d.). Search Results – Mayo Clinic. [online] Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/search/search-results?q=cbd%20oil [Accessed 27 Nov. 2022].
• ‌‌VanDolah, H.J., Bauer, B.A. and Mauck, K.F. (2019). Clinicians’ Guide to Cannabidiol and Hemp Oils. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 94(9), pp.1840–1851. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2019.01.003.
• Lullaby Luxury. (n.d.). Full Spectrum CBD Oil – 1000mg. [online] Available at: https://www.lullaby.luxury/product/full-spectrum-cbd-oil/?utm_source=guest_post [Accessed 27 Nov. 2022].
• ‌Report, S. (2021). Supermarket giant Coles will stock ECS Botanics’ hemp seed oil. [online] Stockhead. Available at: https://stockhead.com.au/health/supermarket-giant-coles-will-stock-ecs-botanics-hemp-seed-oil/ [Accessed 27 Nov. 2022].

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